GM: 4.5L Diesel Temporarily Tabled, HCCI and FCV Work Ongoing
03 August 2009
While noting that globally GM puts more than one million diesel engines into cars and light trucks, the company has “temporarily tabled” its US 4.5-liter Tier 2 Bin 5 diesel engine (earlier post) program for now, said Dan Hancock, GM Powertrain Vice President Global Engineering in remarks at the opening panel session of the DEER 2009 conference in Dearborn, Michigan.
Hancock said the company made the decision based on the changing scenario of fuel prices and capital constraints. GM has not, he was careful to note, cancelled the engine, which is “ready to go”.
Hancock also said that GM was continuing to work aggressively on its gasoline HCCI engine development (earlier post) and was continuing its work on fuel cell vehicles. Hancock noted that the relative emphasis GM places on different elements of its powertrain portfolio does get influenced by the amount of support shown, infrastructure requirements and so on.
“Right now we are continuing to support our fuel cell program,” Hancock said. The company is looking for developing commercial systems with support from private sector and government partners in the 2016 timeframe, he said.
'Hancock noted that the relative emphasis GM places on different elements of its powertrain portfolio does get influenced by the amount of support shown, infrastructure requirements and so on. “Right now we are continuing to support our fuel cell program,” Hancock said.'
Am I missing something? Is there more infrastructure available for fuel cells than for Diesel? Funny how the new GM is acting just like the old one: rather than bring something somewhat more fuel efficient to market today, they promise us they will bring something much more fuel efficient to market 5-10 years from now, and then they don't.
Posted by: Peter9909 | 03 August 2009 at 11:25 AM
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What does one expect from Government Motors? I dread the day when my local, lazy, government bureaucrat will be making my health care decisions for me. Get in line at the health care MVA and wait...
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Posted by: The Goracle | 03 August 2009 at 01:50 PM
Personally, I think the government should be taking a heavier hand in this. I mean, it was driven into the ground as a private company. For starters, I would fire Bob Lutz. I'd probably fire them all. Your argument makes no sense, Goracle: New GM is acting like old GM did when it was fully private, therefore government is bad. Unless you really believe we should have just let the company go under. Maybe you do, in which case, at least, you are being intellectually honest (if not politically or economically realistic).
Posted by: Peter9909 | 03 August 2009 at 03:10 PM
Understandable, GM now stands for Green Motor!
Posted by: Roger Pham | 03 August 2009 at 04:40 PM
To justify crushing the EV1, fuel cells need to still be promoted. ZEBRA batteries will always be more efficient than hydrogen fuel cells. Lithium batteries also will be, and both are far less costly. Need more range? have a diesel OPOC as range extender. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 03 August 2009 at 11:50 PM
ROFL
The New GM is the Old GM with liposuction and Botox.
They'll be in bankruptcy in five years.
Posted by: dursun | 04 August 2009 at 12:17 PM